Establishing a local option to exempt fishermen from property taxes

The bill allows cities and towns in Massachusetts to offer property tax exemptions to fishermen. This means local governments can choose to reduce or eliminate property taxes for licensed commercial fishermen, lobstermen, oyster farmers, and other fish farmers living in their area. The decision to grant this exemption would depend on eligibility criteria set by local tax assessors.

MA S2052 is a senate bill in the Massachusetts 194th General Court, sponsored by Patrick O'Connor (R), currently “Introduced” since February 27, 2025.

We track 6,558 Massachusetts bills this session, 105 of them sponsored by Patrick O'Connor.

Supporters might hail this bill as a crucial support for local fishermen, helping them maintain their livelihoods in the face of challenging economic conditions. By allowing communities to exempt these individuals from property taxes, the law could be seen as fostering local industry and preserving traditional livelihoods.

Critics might argue that this bill could lead to reduced revenue for local governments, potentially impacting services that rely on property taxes. There could also be concerns about fairness, as this preferential treatment for a specific group might lead to calls for similar exemptions for other professions.